Glenmorangie The Duthac

Malt Mileage Rating: ★★★ 

Type: Single malt

Origin: Highlands, Scotland

ABV: 43%

Price: AU$165

Glenmorangie The Duthac can be found in duty free/travel retail outlets in major airports. The malt is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and then “finished” in Pedro Ximénez sherry and virgin oak casks. The whisky is named after St. Duthac, who is the patron saint of Tain in Scotland. 

The “finishing” in Pedro Ximénez sherry – the taste of which might be described as liquid raisins – infuses the Glenmorangie DNA with (surprise) raisin, prune, candied orange and sweet winy notes. There is caramel and vanilla from the virgin oak, as well as hints of chocolate/cocoa and warming spice (pepper, ginger). 

Glenmorangie The Duthac left me underwhelmed; despite being complex in its design with different oak types being used to create this malt, it tasted young and light without much depth of character. The marketing of this whisky, and the use of different oak types to create its flavour, might distract a drinker from the fact that it is a no age statement whisky at an astonishingly high price, but my nose and taste buds seem to tell me that this malt is simply young whisky superficially dressed in oak – shallow and unimpressive at its price.